The Duke of Cambridge looked a little lost as he tried out his skills in a volleyball skills training session on Wednesday.

William joked with youngsters as he tried to work out where he was
meant to be and to whom he should throw the ball during the morning session in
west London, with one 13-year-old saying that he 'felt sorry' for the future king for being unable to return his balls.

His
foray into the sport comes just months after his wife, the Duchess of
Cambridge, hit the headlines when she revealed her post-baby figure in a
midriff top and skinny jeans while playing volleyball at a similar
event for Sports Aid.

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The Duke of Cambridge looked a little lost as he tried out his skills in a volleyball skills training session on Wednesday a few weeks after his wife Kate wowed in skinny jeans and high heels playing volleyball at an event for Sports Aid

The Duke took part in a volleyball game at the Westway Sports Centre in north Kensington, London, today while visiting young apprentice sports coaches taking part in a mentoring programme he helped to create.

William started off shakily during a coaching skills session in which he spent most of his time on court looking around to see where he was meant to be and to whom he should be passing the ball.

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But Greg Mateo, a mentor helping the apprentices run the drill, said the Duke quickly found his stride.

'He
came in late, but he adapted very quickly,' Mr Mateo said. 'I think we
were all confused initially, but part of the objective is to have
confusion and work through that confusion and I think he was able to do
that pretty well.'

William laughed and joked with youngsters as he tried to work out where he was meant to be

He was visiting a Coach Core apprentice training session at Westway Sports Centre in west London as patron of The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry

William started off shakily during a coaching skills session in which he spent most of his time on court looking around to see where he was meant to be and to whom he should be passing the ball

Greg Mateo, a mentor helping the apprentices run the drill, said the Duke quickly found his stride though

William then tried his skills in a volleyball game, where serving the ball over the net seemed to be his strength.

He was also adept at spiking the ball over. But the royal visitor appeared to meet his match when trying to return the serve of 13-year-old Vinojh Kalaiselvan.

The
Duke tried to dig the ball on the first occasion but missed and then
let the ball practically land at his feet when the pint-sized
volleyballer served again.

After the first miss, a still buoyant William kept up the talk with his team-mates, shouting: 'Sorry, my bad.' Vinojh
joked afterwards: 'I felt a bit sorry for him. But it was a very good
game, he did well. 'I was nervous playing because I had never met the
Prince before.'

Vinojh said
while his serving prowess against William would make a great story for
his friends, he was happy to offer some advice.

'I think it was his first time playing, so if he practises and practises, he'll get better,' he said.

Sporty Kate showed off some impressive volleyball moves and a washboard stomach during her visit to the Copper Box at the former Olympic Park in east London in October

William's wife seemed a lot more at home on a volleyball court than he did. managing to 'spike' a ball while wearing towering heels

Royal trio William, Kate and Harry launched the programme in July last year - a day before the
London Olympics. It provides an intense training programme for 16 to
24-year-olds, many from disadvantaged social backgrounds, to become
qualified sports coaches and inspire their peers.

William
met Coach Core's advisory board and young apprentices from pilot
programmes in London and Glasgow, run through organisations Greenhouse
and Glasgow Life.

He also met apprentices from partner project RBI Harlem, which is supported by The American Friends of The Royal Foundation.

William
then watched the apprentices running basketball and volleyball coaching
sessions before having a go at being coached in the volleyball session
himself.

Apprentice volleyball coach Rakeem Caesar, 18, said he was excited to have met the Duke.

He said his life was taking a turn for the worse before he became involved in sports.

'When I was younger I was defensive, I used to get angry and would get into arguments with other pupils,' he said.

'If a teacher got involved I wouldn't care, I would feel really mad.'

William, Kate and Harry launched the charity programme in July last year - a day before the London Olympics

The foundation provides an intense training programme for 16 to 24-year-olds, many from disadvantaged social backgrounds, to become qualified sports coaches and inspire their peers

Mr
Caesar said that after meeting an inspiring coach who encouraged him to
play volleyball, he was able to challenge his anger and let off steam.

He now hopes to be a similar role model for other young people.

'I've become more confident and I'm able to use my dedication to the sport to help younger pupils at my school.'

Tracy Simpson, also 18, said the Coach Core programme has helped her control her rage as well.

As a table tennis coach, she said she now had respect and a focus for her life.

'I
know a few other children who have issues similar to mine when I was
younger so I have tried to find ways to help them through their issues,'
she said.

'I want to help
someone to improve their developmental skills and their personal life as
well to help them be the best person they can be.'